Genre Defining
Mario in 2D was GREAT but in 3D he might not have stood up, thankfully Nintendo know how to manage a franchise and did the portly, italion plumber justice. Fromthe moment you jump out of the pipe and into Peaches castle entrance you know you are in for something special.
You play as Mario (of course) in this N64 adventure. Once again Bowser has kidnapped her and it is up to Mario to help. The game plays out as so: You must jumo into various paintings littered around the castle. Each painting contains numerous stars which must be collected for you to progress. Some doors will require you to have a certain number of stars to enter so progress depends on how many stars you have. After you have gained a certain amount you can take on Bowser hiimself. Upon defeating him you get a key to access a new area of the caslte.
Each world is beautifully rendered in LUSH 3D, losing no "mario charm" in the transition. It also plays like a dream with Nintendos new wonder (the analogue stick) allowing precise movement needed to take on Bowsers minions. Platforming in 2D was simple, in 3D it is more complex alowing for backflips, side flips, crawling, FLYING, swimming and fighting (he can punch). These game worlds are also nicely varied, there are two snow worlds, a lava, two water, a mountain, rainbow ride, a CLOCK, a desert, a fortress and Boos house, plus a few more.
The only problem I have is the camera, like all 3D gaems the camera can have trouble keeping up and it can be hard to judge jumps when the camera gets stuck. Plus because the camera is a Lakitu he can get stuck behind walls so an already hard jump gets even harder because the camera WILL NOT move even when prompted.
Nintendo weren't happy with just making a Mario platformer but in 3D, they have added new items and objects that will likely become staple in all Mario games to come. There are now new HATS to wear, three to be precise. The metal cap allows you to sink in water but you move much slower. The winged cap allows flight which is amazing and the invisiblity cap makes you invisible (of course) and this lets you pass through certain walls and grating. There is also a koopa shell you can ride which is really fun.
Apart from this minor niggle the game performs VERY well and breaths life into a genre that could have died in 3D. It also manages to
Graphics
Stunning, vast worlds which vary from Desert to sunken ship to snow plain to a lava field
Gameplay
When entering the 3D era it looked like Mario could have lost his edge, but the controls are refined and the platformaing is still second to none. Shame the camera can be a bit dogdey
Sound
Still "hum" along tunes that never age. Good sound affects too.
Value
A momoth game with LOADS to do, about 130 stars in all